Applebee's Says Thank You to Servicemembers with Free Meals on Veterans Day

08:00 EDT Thursday, October 10, 2013

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Business Wire) -- Building on Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar®'s
annual tradition of serving free meals to current and former
servicemembers on Veterans Day, Applebee's today announced a partnership
with the veterans service organization The
Mission Continues to promote veteran-led community service
year-round in neighborhoods throughout the country.

For the fifth straight year, Applebee's restaurants will serve free meals to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces on Veterans Day. (Photo: Business Wire)

Additionally, Applebee's today named multi-platinum recording artist Gavin
DeGraw the 2013 Voice of the Applebee's Thank You Movement, the
nation's largest ongoing military appreciation effort, and announced
plans for a concert featuring Gavin DeGraw in America's “Most
Thankful Neighborhood.”

“We owe so much to our servicemembers, and we're honored to show our
gratitude by serving free meals to our military heroes every year on
Veterans Day,” said Applebee's President Mike Archer. “By partnering
with The Mission Continues, we look forward to connecting the newest
generation of veterans with our Guests and Team Members to continue
their service and make a meaningful impact in our neighborhoods
throughout the country every day.”

Applebee's Thank You Movement

Since creating the Thank You Movement in 2011 to collect messages of
appreciation for each of the 24 million current and former members of
our Armed Forces, Applebee's has received more than 4.5 million personal
Thank You messages through the Thank You Movement website: www.thankyoumovement.com.

This year, Gavin DeGraw, a platinum singer-songwriter, lends his song,
“Soldier,” to national advertising in support of the Applebee's Thank
You Movement.

“I'm happy to be part of the Applebee's Thank You Movement and extend my
thanks to our servicemembers for all they have done,” said Gavin DeGraw.
“They are the definition of selflessness, dedication, devotion and
sacrifice. Please join me in thanking our heroes by sending a ‘Thank
You' message.”

Visitors to the Thank You Movement website will be directed to their
local Applebee's Facebook page, where personal Thank You messages will
be tallied by neighborhood and tracked in real time on the Thank You
Movement website. On Veterans Day, the Applebee's community with the
most Thank You messages will be declared the Most Thankful Neighborhood
and win a concert for veterans from Gavin DeGraw in their city. Guests
can also submit Thank You messages by using the hashtag
#ThankYouMovement on www.facebook.com/applebees,
@applebees
on Twitter or on Instagram and YouTube.

The Mission Continues

The Mission Continues is a national nonprofit organization that empowers
veterans to serve their country in new ways through two innovative and
action-oriented programs. The first, The Mission Continues Fellowship,
harnesses veterans' strengths, skills and compassion and empowers them
to serve in their community on a daily basis over the course of six
months. The second, The Mission Continues Service Platoons, brings
together teams of veterans with local community organizations and
volunteers to build stronger communities. The Mission Continues has
helped thousands of post-9/11 veterans focus their talents and energy to
tackle challenges facing us right here at home.

Service events take place in communities where veterans partner with
schools, food banks and veterans' homes that are in need of help.
Applebee's Guests can learn about the work being done by The Mission
Continues veterans and how to participate in local community service
projects through in-restaurant displays at their participating
neighborhood Applebee's restaurant.

“Veterans who report for duty with The Mission Continues are driven to
serve others,” said Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL and CEO and founder of The
Mission Continues. “We're proud to partner with Applebee's to share with
their millions of Guests how veterans continue to serve their local
neighborhoods here at home.”

Applebee's Thank You Meals

On Monday, Nov. 11, veterans and active duty military can choose from a
free Thank You Meal menu that includes some of Applebee's signature and
favorite items, including the:

Offer is valid for dine-in only. Traditional sides are included with
free entrees; 2 for $20 appetizers, upgraded side items or extras,
beverages, desserts and gratuity are not included. Applebee's Thank You
Meals will be offered during normal business hours on Monday, Nov. 11.
Hours vary by location, so Guests should call their local Applebee's
restaurant in advance to inquire about specific location hours.
Applebee's encourages Guests to call their local Applebee's or visit www.applebees.com
for more information.

About Applebee's International, Inc.

Applebee's (www.applebees.com)
is the world's largest casual dining chain, with approximately 2,000
locations in 49 states, 15 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in
Kansas City, Mo., Applebee's takes pride in providing a welcoming,
neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience.
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar® is a DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN)
brand, and is franchised and operated by Applebee's International, Inc.
and its affiliates.

About The Mission Continues

The Mission Continues is a national nonprofit organization that empowers
veterans to serve their country in new ways through two innovative and
action-oriented programs. The first, The Mission Continues Fellowship
harnesses veterans' strengths, skills and compassion and empowers them
to serve in their community on a daily basis over the course of six
months. The second, The Mission Continues Service Platoons brings
together teams of veterans with local community organizations and
volunteers to build stronger communities. The Mission Continues has
helped thousands of post-9/11 veterans focus their talents and energy to
tackle challenges facing us right here at home. Through a unique model
that provides reciprocal benefit for the veteran and the local
community, veterans volunteer to help others and, through their service,
build new skills that help them launch their civilian career. To learn
more, visit: www.missioncontinues.org
or follow us on Twitter @missioncontinue.

About Gavin DeGraw

Gavin DeGraw is not a stranger to the top of the charts. He first broke
through with the 2003 release of his debut album, Chariot, which
sold over a million copies, earned platinum certification, and yielded
three hit singles: “I Don't Want To Be,” “Follow Through,” and the
title-track, “Chariot.” Gavin's self-titled second album debuted at No.
1 on the digital sales chart and at No. 7 on Billboard's Top 200
album chart in 2008, earning Gavin his first Top 10 album. It spawned
the hit singles “In Love With A Girl,” which Billboard dubbed “a
rocking homerun,” and the gold-certified “We Belong Together.” In 2009,
Gavin released Free as a gift to his die-hard fans clamoring for
recorded versions of Gavin's live favorites. DeGraw released his third
studio album, Sweeter, in September 2011. The album's first
single, “Not Over You,” co-written with OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder,
reached #1 on the Hot AC charts, was a top 10 hit on Top 40, and was
certified double platinum. On October 15th Gavin will release
his new album, Make A Move, which features the hit song “Best I
Ever Had.” For more information visit www.gavindegraw.com- facebook.com/gavindegraw - twitter: @gavindegraw.

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